Unit 6 Generation of Information: Modes and Forms: Structure

UNIT 6 GENERATION OF INFORMATION:
MODES AND FORMS

Structure
6.0 Objectives
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Information
6.3 Generation of Information
6.4 Modes of Information Generation
6.4.1 Observation
6.4.2 Thought Process, Deliberation, Imagination
6.4.3 Experimentation
6.4.4 Processing of Data
6.4.5 Events
6.4.6 Evolution
6.4.7 Dream
6.4.8 Information Generation in some Selected Subjects
6.5 Forms of Information

6.5.1 Oral Form
6.5.2 Information in Sign Language
6.5.3 Hand-written Form
6.5.4 Pictorial Form
6.5.5 Printed Form
6.5.6 Digitised Form
6.5.7 Condensed Form
6.5.8 Coded Form
6.5.9 Simplified Form
6.5.10 Translated Form
6.5.11 Disguised Form
6.5.12 Secondary Form
6.5.13 Tertiary Form
6.6 Impact of Information Technology on Information Generation

6.7 Summary
6.8 Answers to Self Check Exercises
6.9 Keywords
6.10 References
6.0 OBJECTIVES
After reading this Unit, you will be able to:
l grasp the concept of information in a better way, realise how the concept
is moulded in different disciplines to suit the respective needs of the
disciplines;
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Information Generation and l know the various modes of generation of information such as observation,
Communication
thinking, experimentation, and so on;
l get an interesting overview of the variegated forms of information such
as oral form, written form, printed form, pictorial form, etc.; and
l perceive the impact of information technology on the generation of
information.
6.1 INTRODUCTION
The human civilisation has passed through different ages such as stone age,
iron age, industrial age, and so on. Now it has entered the information age.
The countries rich in information are today in a much more advantageous
position compared to those poor in information. In many cases the poor
countries are obliged to purchase information from the vendor sometimes at a
very high cost. The advent of Internet has proved to be a great boon for accessing
any information from any part of the world practically in no time. Even here in
many cases, we are to pay for obtaining information. In other words information
has become a commodity. The generators of information are churning out
various information products, marketing them, and earning profit. The
information age has given birth to information industry. The society we are
living in has already been termed as information society.
6.2 INFORMATION
In your BLIS programme you have already studied about information and
gained some knowledge about it. You have also learnt the meaning of data,
information and knowledge and the subtle differences existing among them.
in Block 1 of this course, several units have dwelt on the concepts – data,
information and knowledge providing definition, outlining types and discussing
nature, properties and scope. One peculiarity of information, which you might
not have noticed, is that the meaning of information changes from subject to
subject. Now, let us see the definition of information in some subjects.
Law – ‘An accusation or complaint made without the intervention of a grand
jury’ [The New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary of the
English language, 1996]. This definition is clear and does not require any
discussion.
Communication theory – ‘Any distinct signal element forming part of a
message or communication, especially one assembled and made available for
use by automatic machines, such as a digital computer: usually measured in
bits’ [The New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary of the
English Language, 1996]. In this case, information is communicated through
signals. In the receiving end the signals are assembled by automatic machines
and turned into a language comprehensible to the receiver. What the receiver
gets is nothing but information.
Computer technology – ‘Data that have been processed into an organised,
usable form and are meaningful to the recipient for the task at hand. Any data
that can be coded for processing by a computer or similar device’. [Szymanski,
R.A. 1994], A set of data is fed into the computer to generate different types of
136 information to fulfil the needs of the user. Again, any data can be considered
as information in case it can be coded for computer processing. Thus, we find, Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
in computer technology, information has two distinct meanings.
6.3 GENERATION OF INFORMATION

All the while, information is being generated in the world, nay in the universe.
The bursting of a supernova in a particular constellation, discovery of a planetary
system around a star like the Sun, spotting of a river on the Mars, inundation
of areas by a swelling river, eruption of a volcano, invention of a machine,
successful testing of a drug, conquering of a deadly disease, birth of a child,
and millions of other events are generating information every moment. You
may be interested to know whether the generation of information follows any
well-defined rule or it generates at random without any regard to any rule.
If you just take a newspaper and try to find out how the news have generated
you will notice that they have generated following certain modes. The Hindustan
Times of 21 July 2004 contained the following headlines in its first page:
i) HIV vaccine could come from AIIMS; ii) ‘Soften Hurriat with foreign trips’
iii) It’s almost clear, monsoon’s a failure, iv) NCERT’s recipe for confusion.
On going through the news it will be clear that the first news has resulted due
to experimentation, the second news due to deliberation, the third news due to
observation, and the fourth news again due to deliberation. In many cases,
generation of information involves more than one mode. For example, Newton
saw the falling of an apple from a tree. This observation immediately switched
his thought process on which ultimately resulted in his propounding the theory
of gravitation. In this case, the combination of observation and thought process
gave rise to information.
In the next section we intend to discuss various modes of the generation of
information.
6.4 MODES OF INFORMATION GENERATION

Information usually generates following such modes as Observation, Thought
process, Deliberation or Imagination, Experimentation, Processing of data,
Happening of various events, and so on. In certain cases like language,
information generates following the path of evolution. Now, we shall discuss
all these modes one by one.
6.4.1 Observation
By the word ‘observation’ here we mean not only seeing with eyes, but also
hearing, smelling, tasting and feeling with skin. We can get information about
the sky whether it is sunny, cloudy or hazy by looking at it. Many a time, an
ornithologist can identify a bird just by hearing its call. Often chemists can
recognise a chemical substance, e.g. phenol, by smelling it. Our tongue gives
us information about the taste of a substance. A simple touch by the hand is
enough to know whether a substance is hot, cold or warm.
Observation may be termed as the most potent mode of generation of
information. Charles Darwin observed nature for years to gather information
for establishing the theory of evolution. Astronomers all over the world gathered
information by observing the celestial bodies for centuries initially with naked 137
Information Generation and eyes and subsequently with telescopes. Similarly microbiologists gathered
Communication
information on all microbes observing them with microscopes. A police officer
has to observe minutely every detail of the venue while investigating an
accident, theft, etc. A scientist conducting an experiment has to observe very
carefully the changes taking place in temperature, pressure, colour, etc. and
faithfully record the changes. A doctor has to observe the condition of a patient
at regular intervals to see whether his condition is improving or deteriorating.
Thus, we find, in every walk of like observation is a prerequisite for the
generation of information.
Self Check Exercise
1) Explain how Observation helps in the generation of information.
Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.
ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of the Unit.
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6.4.2 Thought Process, Deliberation and Imagination

Thought process is the mother of generation of information. Be it observation,
experimentation or data collection, thought process is involved in every case
to generate information. Man has seen the solar and lunar eclipses for thousands
of years and have tried to find out the underlying causes with his limited
knowledge and generated information. The ancients observed that during eclipse
the sun or the moon is gradually swallowed by something and again it comes
out. Hence, the ancient Hindus reasoned that during an eclipse the sun or the
moon is gradually gobbled by the beheaded Rahu. As it gobbles the celestial
body through the mouth it comes out through the cutout throat. Considering
the level of knowledge human beings possessed at that time, the reasoning
was quite logical. After centuries of observation and reasoning, now we know
the real cause of eclipse. The information we generate through our observation,
experimentation, reasoning, etc may not always be absolutely true. In many
cases, it is subject to correction at a later date. In Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels
we have seen both Dr. John Watson and Mr. Sherlock Holmes have visited
together the site of the crime. It was always the superior thought process of
Sherlock Holmes that was able to pinpoint the culprit.
Be it a household, an office, an organisation or institution, the process of
deliberation is encountered everywhere. While studying in class XII, many
students are to appear in a number of entrance tests. When a student qualifies
in more than one test, the student and the parents are to deliberate a lot to
arrive at a decision as to the course the student is going to pursue. The moment
138 the final decision is taken and is made known to others, information is generated.
Before declaring the dates of a general election, the Election Commission (EC) Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
has to consider a number of factors like weather (usually rainy season is
avoided), school and college examinations (because schools and colleges are
used for setting up polling booths), availability of security personnel, dates
suggested by various political parties, and so on. After deliberating on all the
factors, when the EC announces its decision, information is generated. In a
parliament or a legislative assembly, after a lot of debates, decisions are taken
giving birth to plenty of information.
An artist has to imagine about the art piece he is going to create, a chemical
engineer has to visualise in his mind the chemical plant he is going to install,
an architect is also to picture the building in the canvass of his mind. Once the
art piece is complete, the blue prints of the chemical plant or the building are
ready and handed over to the persons concerned, information is generated.
Self Check Exercise
2) Explain how imagination helps in the generation of information.
Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.
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6.4.3 Experimentation
If we go through abstracting and indexing services devoted to physics,
chemistry, biology, medicine, engineering, agriculture, and other scientific
disciplines, we shall find that about two million articles are being included in
these databases every year. Most of these articles are based on experimentation.
Just from this, one can make out how much information is being generated per
year through experimentation. It is however to be noted that experimentation
is always attended with observation and thinking process. The results of
experimentation usually appear in the form of research papers, short
communications, patents and so on.
6.4.4 Processing of Data

You have already learnt that data collected through questionnaire and other
methods gives rise to information when processed. Now, we shall see how the
processing of data gives rise to information with a concrete example. Let us
take the students of a BLIS class of an Indian university as a sample. The data
collected about the students is given in Table 6.1.
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Information Generation and Table 6.1: Particulars of the Students of a BLIS Class
Communication
Sr. Name Age Sex H.Q. Class in Nationality Religion
No H.Q.
1 Nirmalendu 41 M BA 2nd Indian Hindu
2 Gita 33 F B Sc 1st Indian Jain
3 Diana 24 F BCA 1st Indian Christian
4 Aurobinda 27 M MA 2nd Indian Hindu
5 Asit 22 M BA 2nd Indian Hindu
6 Yogendra 23 M B Com 1st Indian Hindu
7 Laxman 24 M M Sc 2nd Sri Lankan Buddhist
8 Rabi 25 M MA 2nd Indian Hindu
9 Rahul 23 M B Sc 2nd Indian Hindu
10 Rajib 26 M M Com 2nd Indian Hindu
11 Ali 24 M BA 2nd Indian Muslim
12 Monica 23 F B Sc 1st Indian Hindu
13 Rabeya 22 F M Sc 1st Bangladeshi Muslim
14 Ram Bahadur 29 M BA 1st Nepali Hindu
15 Dan Singh 23 M B Com 2nd Indian Sikh
16 Farooq 24 M BA 1st Indian Parsee
17 Latif 22 M BA 2nd Indian Muslim
18 Aparna 23 F BA 2nd Indian Hindu
19 Renu 24 F B Sc 2nd Indian Hindu
20 Prashant 34 M M Com 2nd Indian Hindu
Sr. No = Serial No; H.Q. – Highest qualification; M = Male; F= Female

Now, one by one we shall arrange the columns of the Table in some order and
see how information generates from each of the operation.
Information Relating to Names
In Table 6.2, we take column 2 and arrange the names in alphabetical order.
Table 6.2: BLIS Students (arranged alphabetically according to names)

No H.Q.
14 Ram 29 M BA 1st Nepali Hindu
Bahadur
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Now, from column 1 of Table 2, we find there are four names starting with A, Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
two names starting with D as well as L, one name starting with each of the
letters F, G, M, N, P and Y, and six names starting with R. It is observed that
the largest number of names is starting with R and no names are starting with
the letters B, C, E, and H to K, O, S to X and Z.
Information Relating to Age
Now, we take column 3, and arrange the students in the ascending order of
their ages (Table 6.3)
Table 6.3: BLIS Students (arranged according to age)
No H.Q.
Table 6.3 shows that the minimum age of a BLIS student is 22 and maximum
41. There are three students of age 22, five students of age 23 and another five
of age 24. That means the age of 13 (65%) students range between 22 to 24.
The age of rest of the students range from 26 to 41. The Table indicates that
even slightly elderly students also join this course.
Information Relating to Sex
Now, we move on to the fourth column, and arrange Table 1 according to sex
and get Table 6.4.
Table 6.4: BLIS Students (arranged according to sex)
No H.Q.
141
Information Generation and 6 Yogendra 23 M B Com 1st Indian Hindu
Communication 9 Rahul 23 M B Sc 2nd Indian Hindu
Table 6.4 shows that the number of female students is 6(30%), and male students
14(70%). Obviously, there is a preponderance of male students in the class.
Information Relating to Highest Qualification
To generate this information, data of the fifth column has been organised in
alphabetical order (Table 6.5). From the Table we find that as many as seven
students have BA as their highest qualification, followed by B Sc (4); B Com,
M Com, M A, and M Sc (2 each); and one BCA student. It may be noticed that
students belonging to Arts are joining the profession more than the students of
any other discipline.
Table 6.5: BLIS Students (arranged according to highest qualification)
Sr. Name Ag Sex H.Q. Class in Nationality Religion
No e H.Q.
Information Relating to Class in Highest Qualification, Nationality, and

Religion
Arranging the data of the columns six, seven and eight in desired manner, we
find that while obtaining the highest qualification seven students secured first
class and thirteen students second class. Also we find that in the class there are
142 seventeen Indian students, one Bangladeshi, one Nepali, and one Sri Lankan
student. Of the students, as many as twelve are Hindu, three are Muslim, and Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
the rest five are Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Parsee, and Sikh, obviously only
one student belongs to each of these religions.
Now, you can see how from a single set of data a substantial amount of
information can be generated just by processing it in different ways.
6.4.5 Events
The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines an event as ‘a thing that happens or
takes place [Pearsall, Judy (ed), 1999]. A scholar releasing a book, an artist
inaugurating an exhibition, a philosopher explaining the concept of time, a
saint giving a discourse on a religious matter, a political leader campaigning
for vote, legislators debating in a parliament, a lawyer passing a judgement,
the prime minister of a country taking oath of office, a war breaking out at a
particular region of the world, a patient dying in a hospital due to neglect, a
new train being flagged off by a minister, two buses colliding causing death
and injuries to a number of passengers, a terrorist hijacking a plane, a comet
appearing in the sky, a physicist bombarding an atom with alpha particles, a
chemist conducting an experiment to create a new material, a geologist drilling
a borehole to prospect petroleum deposit, a paleontologist spotting the skeleton
of a dinosaur, a geneticist giving birth to a high-yielding variety of rice, an
inventor filing a patent application, a surgeon performing an open heart surgery,
a director shooting a new film, umpteen number of sports and games being
held every day all over the world, adventurers venturing to conquer a mountain
peak, etc. are all examples of events.
Let us go through some of the headlines figured in The Hindustan Times of
30th July 2004.
1) IA diverts flight, saves Pakistani baby. (p 1)
2) Bofor’s Ardbo dead (p1)
3) Aravali bio-diversity park takes off (p2)
4) PM flies, spares traffic (p3) [PM’s journey to the airport by a helicopter
while proceeding to Thailand]
5) 16 lockers cleaned out at Safdarjung Enclave Bank (3)
6) 1 killed as bus overturns in NOIDA (p5)
7) As expected Pak win easily [in Asia Cup ODI in Sri Lanka](p9)
8) CA examination results on August 4 (p19]
9) Pakistani hostages killed (p21)
10) Madonna makes peace with Jesus in Portugal (p22).
It can be seen that all these news items have generated out of events. A
newspaper not only provides information about past events but also of future
events (vide headlines against serial no. 8). It is also to be noted that a newspaper
also contains items of thought process, (e.g. editorials); data processing
(prediction about election results); observation (reporting of an accident); and 143
so on.
Information Generation and It is to be noted that just the happening of an event does not generate information.
Communication
The information relating to the event generates only when it is seen by someone
and reported.
6.4.6 Evolution
Man started communicating by speech some 100,000 years ago [Odham’s
Colour Library of Knowledge: Language and Communication, 1968]. In those
dizzy old days of human civilisation, the vocabulary of human beings of a
particular race was only limited. They had only that many words which were
required to express their ideas. As they invented newer and newer devices,
encountered objects not known before, they started naming them for the purpose
of easy identification. This led to the enrichment of vocabulary. When they
moved from an old area to a new area they encountered numerous new things
such as trees, animals, fruits, tubers, and so on. They also named them. In the
course of their endless journey sometimes they encountered an alien race, which
resulted either in fighting or friendship. For the exchange of ideas between
two different races, need arose for interpretation. How and when the art of
interpretation came into being is shrouded in mystery. However, this much is
sure that the need for interpretation occasioned the need for linguistic
information. That is, how a particular object is called by the alien group. In
plain words, they needed information as to the equivalent terms in the language
of the alien race. The process of building up of the vocabulary of languages is
as mind-boggling as interesting. Sometimes a word has travelled over centuries
from one language to the other retaining its original form. For example, the
word ‘ginger’ belonging to a now extinct Middle Indian language travelled
from India to Europe through Middle East. In twenty-four languages of the
world the word has retained its original form. In many cases words have
undergone small changes while travelling from one language to the other. For
example, the word ‘nine’ has taken the following forms in a number of Indo-
European languages of the world. It seems as if the word first originated in a
particular language and then moved from language to language with small
changes in its sound and form. It is depicted below:
Dutch English French German Italian Spanish Swedish Welsh Hindi

Negen Nine Neuf Neun Nove Nueve Nio Naw Nau
In some cases, of course, we find that a word having the same or similar meaning
differs from language to language. Let us take the example of the word ‘science’.
In Sanskrit it is called ‘vijnan’, in Russian ‘nauka’, in German ‘Wissenshaften’
and so on. In the development of vocabulary, conquest of a country by another,
international trade, etc. has also helped a lot. The development of languages,
which originated 2,000 or more years ago, is still continuing. Take for example,
the English language. Even today, hundreds of new words are being added to
this language every now and then. Just with e, we have e-mail, e-journal, e-
zine, e-library, e-librarian, and so on. Similar is the case with cyber. We have
hundreds of words starting with cyber. Even a decade ago most of these words
were unknown. In this way a language has developed over thousands of years
following the path of evolution and still the process is on.
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Several thousand years ago, man invented the art of writing. Starting from Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
stones down to leaves were used as writing media. Products of human thought
thus started getting recorded. At one time the art of translation also began. In
the famous ‘Rosetta Stone’ of 2nd century BC, the decree has been engraved in
three different languages, ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, demotic (the popular
language of Egypt at that time), and Greek [Odham’s Colour Library of
Knowledge: Language and Communication, 1968]. This record bears infallible
testimony to the fact that the art of translation was pretty developed in Egypt
at that time.
The requirement of translation necessitated reference tools to provide
information about the equivalent words in the target language in which the
matter is to be translated. In response to the need started appearing bilingual
and multilingual dictionaries. For translating, sometimes we need information
even for a letter. For example, we come across letters like vk in Indus scripts.
Scholars have been trying for about a century to extract information from these
scripts.
6.4.7 Dream
It is common with every human being to dream. Some of the dreams we
remember, other we do not. The dream that we remember and convey about
the same to others or record it in our diary, information is generated.
Psychologists extract a lot of information about the subconscious mind of a
patient through the interpretation of dreams. At times dreams provide the
necessary information or clue for solving a problem. Kekule, an organic chemist,
was trying to find out the structural formula of benzene for quite sometime,
but failing again and again. One night, he dreamt that six snakes had created a
ring by biting the tail of each other. This dream immediately gave him the
information or clue that the structural formula of benzene would be ring-shaped.
6.4.8 Information Generation in some Selected Subjects

Following different modes, information is generated in various subjects. Taking
a few selected subjects, we shall see how information generates in those
subjects.
1) Classification
Going through any classification scheme like Dewey Decimal Classification
or Colon Classification deeply, we can easily realise the tremendous amount
of mental exercise that has undergone for building up the scheme. Sometimes,
the mental exercise is preceded by observation or an event. For example,
Ranganathan’s chance encounter with a meccano set sparked in his mind the
idea of a faceted scheme of classification. Moreover, every designer of a scheme
of classification had to think of sound canons, principles, devices and so on to
maintain consistency, provide logical sequence of subjects, meet the present
need and face with confidence the demand of the future. The amount of mental
exercise required to build up a classification scheme can be well realised if we
ourselves undertake building up a small classification scheme. In this particular
subject, information generates mainly through mental exercise.
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Information Generation and 2) Philosophy
Communication
Ever since man learned to reason, he started thinking about creation, the creator,
environment, life, and all other phenomena he came across. The Greeks,
centuries before the birth of Christ tried to understand the nature of the world
for the sake of knowledge. In their reasoning, they introduced logical element
thus occasioning the beginning of philosophic and scientific thought. Thales
(c640 – 546 BC), the Ionian Greek, as well as the first philosopher recorded in
history, speculated about the origin and nature of the universe [Odham’s Colour
Library of Knowledge: Religion and Philosophy, 1968]. From then on till date,
the world has seen thousands of philosophers putting forward their ideas on
matter, energy, space, time, cosmos, God, knowledge, morality, beauty, and
so on. All these are the fruits of their fertile imagination and logical thinking.
It will not be very wrong to say that the subject philosophy has borne out of
human thinking.
3) Religion
In the dawn of civilisation, man with utter helplessness observed numerous
natural phenomena like devastating earthquakes, ravaging floods, deadly forest
fires, thundering storms, awesome volcanic eruptions, and so on. Even with
their limited knowledge, the early men could realise that behind each of these
phenomena, there is someone who is enormously powerful and humans are
not mighty enough to control and overpower him. Thus dawned in them the
idea of supernatural beings basing their imagination and thought process. They
reasoned that when these mighty beings get enraged, all natural calamities
occur. To appease those mighty beings, developed various forms of worship.
Phenomena like diseases, deaths, crop failures, etc. also made them realise
that there are many things, which are beyond their control. These also
strengthened their beliefs in supernatural entities, which at one time took the
form of Gods and Goddesses. In the long journey of human civilisation took
birth great religious leaders like Gautam Buddha, Jesus Christ, and others. All
of them founded religions basing what they realised out of their meditation or
deep thinking about God and related matters. Hence, we find religion is also
the outcome of the brainwork of human beings.
4) Social Sciences
In social sciences information is generated following various modes. Here, we
shall demonstrate this taking the example of statistics, politics and government,
and law.
a) Statistics
In this field, information is mostly generated through the processing of data.
In any statistical survey, e.g., census, data is collected usually using a
questionnaire. Once the collection is over, data is cleaned, fed into the computer
according to the predetermined format, and then processed to generate the
desired information. Of course, the statistical theories, formulas, etc. come
into being through process.
Self Check Exercise
146 3) Explain how is statistical information generated.
Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below. Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
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b) Politics and Government
In these two fields, information mostly is generated through events. A political
leader inaugurates a conference and delivers a speech that becomes information.
The election process generates a good deal of information encompassing such
events as nomination of candidates by various political parties, filing of
nomination papers, issuance of the manifesto, campaigning, exercising of
franchise by the electorates, and formation of the ministry. However, political
theories, ideologies, etc are the brainchild of political thinkers.
5) Pure Science
In pure science, information is generated through thinking, observation,
experimentation and so on. Here, we shall discuss the generation of information
in mathematics, astronomy, and physics.
a) Mathematics
Whatever we find today in mathematics starting from Hindu numerals (1, 2, 3,
etc.) up to any sophisticated calculation has been generated from human
thinking. Of course, in applied mathematics, there might be some exceptions.
By and large, mathematics is a thought-based subject.
b) Astronomy
Unlike mathematics, information has been generated in astronomy mainly
through observation. Early men observed the sky years after years. The change
in the phases of the moon possibly delighted them. The eclipses obviously
generated in them a sense of fear. They noticed some heavenly bodies move
faster than others. Gradually and gradually they identified the constellations,
zodiac, and the planets visible with the naked eye. At certain point of time,
they realised the return of seasons at regular intervals and the concept of year
dawned in them. Hence, we find that the entire edifice of astronomy was built
on the observation power and the thought process of astronomers. The discovery
of telescope enhanced the observation capacity of human beings manifold as
far as distant objects are concerned. Using telescopes men could discover many
new galaxies, nebulae, stars, and other celestial bodies. When the life of a star
comes to an end, it explodes violently throwing the debris with unimaginable
force into the space. With naked eyes such phenomenon is rarely seen from
the earth. However, in the early morning of 24 February 1987, the phenomenon
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of an exploding star, named Supernova 1987A, was observed simultaneously
Information Generation and by astronomers Ian Shelton of the University of Toronto, Southern Station,
Communication
Chile; Oscar Duhalde of Las Campanas Observatory, Chile; and amateur sky
watcher, Albert Jones of Nelson, New Zealand. The explosion took place in
the galaxy called Large Magellanic Cloud and was visible with naked eyes
from the Southern Hemisphere [Britannica Book of the Year, 1988]. The
astronomers informed the media and the entire world came to know about the
astronomical phenomenon. This is how an important piece of astronomical
information generated.
c) Physics
Generation of information in physics involves events, observation, and
experimentation and thought process. It is, however, not necessary that all the
four factors will be required for the generation of information in all cases.
Newton saw the falling of an apple from a tree. The event led Newton to think
deeply about the phenomenon and his thinking finally gave birth to the famous
theory of gravitation. Here, event, observation and thought process were
responsible for the generation of information. Michael Faraday conducted a
number of experiments by passing electricity through various substances. Once
he passed electricity through a vacuum tube and was astonished to see a beam
of light travelling from the positive electrode to negative electrode. He further
experimented by subjecting the beam of light to strong magnetic field and
amused to see that the beam was attracted towards the positive pole of the
magnet. From the experiment he could make out that the beam was composed
of negatively charged particles. Later on, these particles were named as
‘electrons’. Here also we find that experimentation, observation and thinking
process – all these three were involved in the generation of information. In the
propounding of many theories thinking process becomes paramount compared
to observation and experimentation. For example, in propounding the theory
of relativity Einstein did not conduct any experiment. His thinking process
coupled with mathematical calculations gave rise to the theory. Experiments
were conducted afterwards to test the validity of the theory.
6) Applied Science
Here we take the examples from medicine. Medicine comprises anatomy,
physiology, health, pharmacology, pathology and surgery. Information in these
subjects generates following different modes, which will be clear from the
following discussion.
a) Anatomy
Information on anatomy has been generating since ancient times. In Ayurveda,
there is clear-cut instruction as to how information is to be gathered about
human anatomy using the dead body of a healthy person. In modern times,
doctors dissected body of a dead person to observe bones, muscles, arteries,
nerves, veins, nerves and so on. They observed and recorded accurately the
exact location, size, shape etc of every part of the body to generate detailed
information about the human body. Veterinary doctors did the same thing to
reveal the anatomy of animals. Thus, it is clear that information on anatomy
has generated mainly based on observation.
148
b) Physiology Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
Generation of information of physiological processes, in many cases requires
a great deal of thinking apart from observation. In some cases experimentation
is also necessary. For example, the discovery of circulation of blood by Galen
required a great deal of thinking besides observation.
c) Health
World Health Organisation brings out publications providing the status of public
health in the world. For generating the information, data is collected from
various countries of the world through questionnaire and other methods, and
then the data is processed to generate information.
d) Pharmacology
Every year hundreds of drugs undergo trials throughout the world. The drug,
under trial, is given to a set of patients, and another set of patients is given
placebo [a harmless substance that exactly looks like the drug, but not the
drug in reality]. The result of the drug as well as the placebo is observed taking
into account the process of healing, side effects and so on. Interestingly, many
patients get cured with the placebo! In case, more patients are healed with the
drug than with the placebo, and the side effects are not serious, then the drug is
allowed for use and the information generated is made public. Usually, the
trial goes on for years throughout the world. Generation of information in this
case involves experimentation, observation, and processing of data.
e) Surgery
In the case of surgery also, in most cases, prior diagnosis is necessary using x-
ray, ultrasound, and pathological and other methods. During surgery,
information is generated about the patient’s blood pressure, heart condition
and so on to help the surgeon to proceed with the surgery. After surgery, the
condition of patient is monitored and information generated about the progress
of the patient to help the doctor take next step. Here also, several processes are
involved for the generation of information.
Summing up, we find that in the field of medicine also experimentation,
observation, processing of data and thinking is necessary to generate
information.
7) Arts
An artist using his thinking process gives birth to a painting, an idol, an object
of sculpture, a song or music. Information about many of these is generated
through events such as an exhibition. When the painting called Mona Lisa by
Leonardo da Vinci was stolen from Louvre Museum in Paris, a great deal of
information was generated. When an artist organises an exhibition of his
paintings information is generated.
8) Sports
Generation of information in this case is mostly event-based. A football match,
a cricket match, or any other sports or games generate information. Needless
to say, international game events like Olympic, Commonwealth Games, Asiad, 149
Information Generation and etc. generate a huge amount of information.
Communication
9) Literature
Authors compose poems, write fictions or dramas, script erudite essays, and
so on basing their imagination or thinking capabilities. Information about these
writings are generated usually through some events like the release of a book
at a function, publication of its reviews in a journal, inclusion of its
bibliographical details in a bibliography and so on.
10) Geography
People since time immemorial have gone from one place to another for various
purposes. In the process of their journey they observed new places, came across
new people and their culture. The information they gathered was passed on to
others. Thus, the subject of geography was born. At a later stage, the entire
world was mapped applying scientific method of observation. Hence, geography
is predominantly an observation-based subject.
11) History
Information on history is predominantly event-based. Thinking also plays a
major part. The events like the birth of a king’s son, his ascendancy to the
throne, his meetings with dignitaries and VIPs, his decisions, and all other
activities generate information. In a democratic set up, the election of a
president, prime minister and other ministers and their respective activities
generate huge amount of information. Recording of all these activities including
wars create history.
6.5 FORMS OF INFORMATION

We are already familiar with the forms of documents such as books, periodicals,
patents, theses, standards, catalogues, dictionaries, encyclopaedias,
bibliographies, and so on. The form of information is different from the form
of documents. In a document, the information may be in hand-written form,
printed form, coded form, simplified form, disguised form, and so on. Here,
we are going to deal with oral form, hand-written form, printed form, digitised
form, condensed form, coded form, simplified form, translated form, and
disguised form. This is not an exhaustive list.
6.5.1 Oral Form

When we talk to a person sitting or standing in front of him or through telephone,
the information exchanged between the two is oral form of information. This
form of information is extensively used in our day-to-day conversation, in the
lectures delivered by teachers, speeches delivered by ministers, notes and letters
dictated by officers, cross examination undertaken by lawyers, interviews
conducted by interviewers, commands given by military officers, and so on.
In our Vedic period also this was the most predominant form of information.
People used to listen (shruti) and remember (smriti). They also did not have
any system of writing. Illiterates all over the world use this form of information
to express themselves. Using this form of information does not require the
150
knowledge of the scripts and the spelling of words. There are tribes in the
world who speak languages that do not have any script. Obviously, those tribes Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
use oral form of information for communication.
6.5.2 Information in Sign Language

Deaf and dumb people cannot use oral form of information. Hence, sign
languages have been developed for them whereby they communicate. In this
case, information is generated using hands, fingers, and other parts of body.
For example, using our forefinger and middle finger we produce the shape of
V to indicate victory. Many a time we indicate our consent with a nod. People
all over the world use sign languages to communicate. Some primitive tribes
use sophisticated sign languages for communication.
6.5.3 Hand-written Form

People of ancient Egypt, Indus Valley, China developed systems of writing
much before the advent of Christian era. With this development the written
form of information came into being. Different languages of the world
developed varied scripts and alphabets. Sometimes a group of languages
adopted the same script and alphabet with slight change here and there. For
example, languages like English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and
Rumanian use the Roman scripts. Even in our country, Roman scripts are used
for writing in languages like Mizo. Some ethnic groups like the Romans
preferred writing from left to right; the Arabs preferred writing from right to
left, and the Chinese from top to down. For recording hand-written information
numerous recording materials like papyrus, parchment, vellum, bhurjapatra,
palm leaves, terracotta tablets, bamboo strips, etc. were used. The advent of
paper extensively reduced the use of other writing materials. Lakhs of
manuscripts preserved in thousands of libraries of the world are all hand-written.
Scribes thrived in those centuries when printing was still a very distant dream.
Copying manuscripts was the order of the day and a respectable means of
earning livelihood.
6.5.4 Pictorial Form

In newspapers, everyday, we see cartoons conveying some message in a
humourous or satirical way. General maps and atlases present information in
pictorial form about places, rivers, lakes, mountains, universe, and so on.
Anatomical atlases present information about various parts of the body. There
are other types of atlases as well. A photograph of Taj Mahal, a portrait of
Shakespeare, a statue of Gandhiji, etc. tell us about their look. Children like to
read comics such as Amar Chitra Katha. In many cases, say in comics and
cartoons, words and/or sentences are also added to make it more comprehensible
and interesting.
6.5.5 Printed Form

The Chinese developed the technique of block printing by 8th century AD or
before since the oldest known example of block printing recording Buddhist
charms dates to around 765 AD. The Chinese and Koreans also developed the
technique of printing from movable types. However, their technique remained
confined within the region. The technique of printing from movable types that
spread the world over was developed by the German printer Johannes Gutenberg 151
Information Generation and in mid-1450s [9]. The impact of Gutenberg’s technique was so great that by
Communication
the end of 15th century some 9,000,000 books comprising mostly religious
writings, and classical works of Greek and Roman authors were in circulation
all over Europe. The world has never seen the generation of so many titles in
just less than 50 years! [Odham’s Colour Library of Knowledge: Languages
and Communication, 1968]. Even today, printed information reigns supreme
as maximum amount of recorded information is in printed form.
6.5.6 Digitised Form

With the advent of computers, digitised form of information came into being.
Here information is recorded using only two digits 0 and 1. For digitisation,
there are codes like ASCII and EBCDIC. ASCII stands for American Standard
Code for Information Interchange and EBCDIC for Extended Binary Coded
Decimal Interchange Code. ASCII is 7-bit code, and EBCDIC 8-bit code.
However, extended ASCII is 8-bit code. In extended ASCII, the word
INFORMATION will be recorded as 11001001110011101100011011001
11111010010110011011100000111010100 110010011100111111001110.
This is digitised form of information. Presented in this form, a computer will
be able to easily handle the data.
6.5.7 Condensed Form

We are all aware of abstracts and summaries. These are nothing but condensed
form of information. An article of twenty pages may have an abstract of half a
page only. Abbreviations like ILA, BLA, etc. are also condensed form of
information. In fact, condensed form is secondary form of information as it is
always derived from the primary form of information.
6.5.8 Coded Form

In the coded form of information, usually numbers, letters and symbols are
used. Sometimes, they are used singly, and sometimes in combination with
one another.
We find coded form of information in a number of subjects including our own.
When we represent the subject of a book on science with a class number like
500 or A, we put the information in a coded from. A class number like 954 or
V2 immediately tells the classifier that the number signifies ‘history of India’.
The above examples show us that the information can be codified simply with
numbers, letters, or a combination of both.
The information exchanged in espionage is normally in codified form. Each
country has its own codes for the purpose. For deciphering the coded
information there are keys to the codes. Once keys are available, coded
information can be deciphered without much of a problem. There are also
experts who can break the codes even without the keys.
In trade and commerce we use $ to mean dollar, £ to mean pound, ¥ to mean
yen, @ to mean at the rate of, and so on.
We use PIN code in postal communication. For example, 110019 indicates
Kalkaji area of New Delhi encompassing Kalkaji, Nehru Place, Chittaranjan
152
Park, Alaknanda and few other places. From the term ‘PIN code’ itself, it is Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
clear that the information in coded form.
The number written on the number plate of a car or scooter is also coded
information. From the number it is possible to make out whether the vehicle
belongs to the government, an embassy, or an individual. The state wherefrom
the license for the car has been issued can also be identified. For example, the
number TN01S9899 indicates that the vehicle belongs to Tamil Nadu. The
number DL1T 2345 informs that the vehicle is a Delhi taxi.
In mathematics, we encounter symbols like +, –, x, ÷, <, =, > etc. meaning
respectively plus, minus, into, divide, less than, equal to, and greater than. In
geometry ∠ indicates an angle, ∆ a triangle, Ο a circle, ? a square, and so on.
Astronomers also use various symbols like O, ?, O, •, ∗, to mean respectively
the sun, mars, full moon, new moon, and star.
Abbreviations and equations in physics are also coded form of information.
The formula that provided the base for the manufacture of atom bomb is as
simple as E = mc2 where ‘E’ means energy, ‘m’ means mass and ‘c’ velocity
of light. It indicates that the annihilation of one kilogram of mass can generate
1 × 300,000,000 × 300,000,000 = 9 × 1016 joules of energy.
Chemists all over the world use coded form of information for representing
names of elements as well as compounds. For example, to them Fe means
iron, Pb lead, Nacl sodium chloride and so on.
In telegraphy, Morse code is being used to send telegrams. As in digitisation,
in Morse code also, two symbols are used to represent all the 26 letters of
Roman alphabet and the numbers. The two symbols are • (dot) and - (dash).
For example in Morse code A is represented by • -, B by - •••, and so on. When
a ship or an aircraft in danger sends the distress signal SOS, it is sent with the
following Morse code • • • - - - • • •.
6.5.9 Simplified Form

Writings in many subjects are pretty difficult to understand for a common
man. One requires special knowledge to grasp. Moreover, an expert in a subject
may be a total novice in another. Hence, simplification of information becomes
essential for laymen, school children, and in certain cases even for scholars.
Now let us see how difficult-to-understand sentences can be made simple and
easily understandable. John Keog of Australia patented a ‘circular transportation
facilitation device’ in the year 2001 and was awarded the Ig (Ignoble!) Nobel
Prize [11] for his novel invention [Australian Patent No. 2001100012]. The
sentence may not be comprehensible to every one because of the jargon used.
If we rewrite the sentence as – John Keog of Australia patented a ‘wheel’ in
the year 2001 and was awarded the Ig (Ignoble!) Nobel Prize [Abrahams, M,
2004] for his novel invention, then everybody will understand the sentence
without any difficulty. Let us take another sentence – Mr. Salim Ali was numero
uno in ornithology in India. The sentence may not be comprehensible to a
layman or school-going children because of the two terms numero uno and
ornithology. If we rewrite the sentence as ‘Mr. Salim Ali was the number one
bird specialist in India’, everybody will get the meaning of the sentence quite 153
Information Generation and easily. Thus we find difficult writings can be simplified to make them
Communication
understandable to a layman.
Information is generally presented in simplified form in encyclopaedias meant
for children and laymen. In these encyclopaedias, usually jargons; long, difficult
and highly complex sentences are avoided and whenever a technical term
occurs, its meaning is explained in simple terms.
6.5.10 Translated Form
There are numerous languages in the world, which are extant. There are also
languages, which are extinct. Some of the extinct languages of the world had
even written form, e.g. hieroglyphics of Egypt. The people of Indus Valley
civilisation had also a language in written form.
The need for translation of information from one language to the other was felt
by men even in ancient times. We find in Rosetta stone, the content in
hieroglyphic and its translation in demotic and Greek. It may be noted here
that the translation of the hieroglyphic content into Greek was of great help to
the linguists like Champollion in deciphering writings in Egyptian
hieroglyphics. The deciphering of the Egyptian hieroglyphics opened up before
the world the entire history of Egypt.
We have already discussed about the oral and written form of information.
The translation can be from oral to oral form, oral to written form, written to
oral form, and written to written form. In the written form we include the
printed form as well.
i) Oral to Oral Form
In the UN Assembly, international conferences, and in many other occasions
the speaker delivers his speech in a particular language and immediately it is
translated into several other languages by interpreters. When two persons do
not know the language of each other, they take the help of an interpreter to
convey their messages. In these cases the translated form of information is
oral.
ii) Oral to Written Form
In Purnea Zila School where I studied in early 1950s, the teachers in subjects
like social studies used to deliver the lecture in Hindi. The Bengali students in
the class immediately translated the same mentally and took down the notes in
Bengali. This was a case of oral to written form of translation.
iii) Written to Oral Form
In India and many other countries of the world an English teacher in a non-
English medium school orally translates the poems, short stories, essays, etc
from English language to local language (Bengali, Hindi, etc.) to make the
student understand the thought content of the piece of writing. In this process,
the student understands the thought content of the piece of writing much better.
In bilingual mode of teaching, the practice is quite common all over the world.
iv) Written to Written Form
Every year thousands of books are translated from one language to another.
For example, Nehru’s Glimpses of World History has been translated into
154 Arabic, Assamese, Bengali, Croatian, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Japanese,
Kanarese, Malayalam, Marathi, Mongolian, Oriya, Persian, Russian, Swedish, Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
Urdu, and so on. Apart from books journals, articles are also translated. Once
upon a time, INSDOC used to translate articles and books from around twenty
non-English languages of the world to English language. Many Russian journals
are translated from cover-to-cover.
There are various other modes of translation such as natural language to digitised
language and vice-versa; sign language to natural language and vice versa;
and so on.
6. 5.11 Disguised Form
In a disguised form of information, sentences appear pretty innocuous to a
common man. Only the person, for whom the information is meant, can get
the real meaning of the sentence. One of our drivers at INSDOC used to stop
the car at a particular point on the road and say, “Sir, I am going to fetch my
medicine”. Only those close to him used to know that he was going to fetch a
bottle of wine! In 1942 Arthur H Compton, head of the nuclear fission project
at the University of Chicago telephonically told James B Conant, Director of
the National Defense Research Commission of the USA, “The Italian navigator
arrived at the shores of the new world and found the natives were quite friendly.
It is a smaller world than he believed” [Cane, P, 1961]. The sentences looked
as if somebody like Columbus had found out a new continent. It was not so. In
reality, the information was about the successful achievement of the first nuclear
chain reaction by Enrico Fermi, the very first step towards the manufacture of
atom bomb. In the aforesaid quotation the ‘Italian navigator’ was Enrico Fermi,
‘the new world’ meant the world of atomic energy, ‘natives were friendly’
connoted that the reaction could be controlled, and ‘smaller world’ gave an
idea of the amount of uranium needed [Cane, P, 1961]. I think the example
makes it clear what the disguised form of information is.
Self Check Exercise
4) How do you differentiate form of documents from the form of information?
Explain briefly.
5) Why sometimes information is passed in disguised form?
Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of the Unit.
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6.5.12 Secondary Form

So far we have talked about the generation of primary information. Secondary
information is generated basing the primary information. When somebody 155
Information Generation and prepares an abstract of a research article, the abstract becomes the secondary
Communication
information. Most of the editorials in newspapers are based on primary
information. However, the editorials themselves are secondary information.
Suppose, the railway budget has been presented in a parliament. Some
newspapers have written editorials on the budget. Here, the railway budget
provides the primary information and the editorials on it are secondary
information. Encyclopaedias, dictionaries, indexing periodicals, abstracting
periodicals, etc. usually contain secondary information.
6.5.13 Tertiary Form
In many cases tertiary information is generated basing secondary information.
For example, if a scientist writes a review article basing the abstracts of the
original articles, then the review article provides tertiary information.
Sometimes review articles are based on both primary and secondary information.
6.6 IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

ON INFORMATION GENERATION
Information technology has impacted information generation in a number of
ways. Let us take the case of a fledgling author. The author writes an article
and tries to get it published. In many cases, he has to move from pillar to post
to see his writing in printed form. Sometimes, he is successful, and sometimes
not. Where he is successful, information is generated. Where he is not the
article with the passage of time vanishes from the world remaining totally
unknown to anybody. Now, the author has options. He can place the article in
his own website, if he has one. Otherwise, thre are websites where he can
place his articles. The article will come to the notice of thousands of people.
Thus, information will be generated. To what extent information contained in
the article is authentic is a difficult question. It may be authentic, partially
authentic and may be devoid of authenticity. The user will have to judge it. In
Internet, there are many articles written by school children, where you will
find spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, factual inaccuracies, and so on.
The IT era has given birth to a number of publications in electronic form.
These publications among others comprise books, periodicals, and conference
proceedings. Cybermetrics, an electronic-only journal as well as a virtual forum
is devoted to the study of the quantitative analysis of scholarly and scientific
communications in the Internet. The URL of the journal is: http://
www.cindoc.csic.es/cybermetrics/cybermetrics.html. Nowadays, like books
and periodicals, there are many articles which are available on Internet only.
For example: the article by Kalyane and Sen on Tibor Braun, is available only
on Internet. The number of electronic-only publication is continuously
increasing opening up a new gateway for the generation of information as well
as access to information.
IT has also helped in the generation of quicker as well as better information.
Before the advent of IT era, information search used to take a huge amount of
time. Moreover, information that could be searched was not very up-to-date.
For example, a journal from US or European countries used to take a month or
more to reach India by sea mail. Hence, in a place like India we used to get at
156 least one-month old information, sometimes more. Today, the time for locating
and accessing information in many cases has been reduced considerably. In all Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
probability, this has increased the productivity of researchers and many other
writers. Moreover, they are now in a position to provide more updated
information in their publications.
Self Check Exercise
6) Describe briefly the impact of information technology of the generation
of information .
Notes: i) Write your answer in the space given below.
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6.7 SUMMARY
In the beginning, we have learnt about various objectives of the Unit.
Subsequently, we have seen how the concept of ‘information’ connotes different
meanings in different disciplines.We, LIS professionals generally deal with
the information that is recorded in some media. Information generates through
various modes such as observation, thought process including deliberation
and imagination, experimentation, processing of data, and occurrence of various
events. The generation of information in different areas follows different modes.
To illustrate this point, the generation of information has been discussed in
areas like classification, philosophy, religion, statistics, politics and government,
mathematics, astronomy, physics, anatomy, physiology, health, pharmacology,
surgery, sports, literature, geography and history. The form of information is
different from the form of documents. In the form of documents, the presence
of a document is a must. In the form of information, document may or may not
be present. In a document, the information may be in hand-written form, printed
from, coded form, simplified form, disguised form and other forms. In this
Unit we have discussed oral form, hand-written form, printed form, digitised
form, condensed form, coded form, simplified form, translated form, and
disguised form of information. Generation of secondary information and tertiary
information has also been mentioned. At the end we have discussed the impact
of information technology on information generation.
6.8 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

1) Observation is one of the most potent modes of generation of information.
We observe an object, an event, an experimentation, and so on and record
that in our brain. When we communicate this to other, it becomes
157
information. We can communicate by speaking, sign language, writing
Information Generation and or recording the information in some other media. Suppose, a shpherd
Communication
has seen a wolf in the jungle bordering his village. The moment he conveys
this message to a villager, information is generated. Monica has visited
Lakshmi Narayan temple in Delhi. She conveys this fact to ther friend
Sonia through a letter. To Sonia, this is an information. Here, Monica
generated information by recording it in a letter. Astronomers all over the
world generated information by observing the celestial bodies for centuries
initially with naked eyes and subsequently with telescopes. Similarly,
microbiologists generated information on all microbes observing them
with microscopes. A scientist generates information by conducting
experiments. A doctor generates information by examining a patient about
the disease the latter is suffering from. Thus we find, in numerous cases
we generate information by observing.
2) An artist first of all imagines about the art piece he is going to create, a
chemical engineer also visualises in his mind the chemical plant he is
going to install, an architect also draws a picture of the building he is
going to design in canvass of his mind. As the work of all these starts,
many a time people come to know about these from the person concerned
and information is generated.
3) Statistical information generates mostly through the processing of data.
In any statistical survey, e.g. census, data is collected usually using a
questionnaire. Once the collection is over, data is cleaned, inputted into
the computer according to the predetermined format, and then processed
to generate the desired information. If the amount of data is small, it can
be processed manually. Of course, for the generation of statistical theories,
formulas, etc. a great deal of thinking is necessary.
4) Documents are found usually in the form of books, periodicals, patents,
theses, reports, standards, catalogues, dictionaries, encyclopaedias,
bibliography and so on. The form of information is different from the
form of documents. In the form of documents, the presence of a document
is a must, which is not the case with the form of information. Information
in oral form, sign language, etc. do not involve any document. However,
documents are involved in hand-written form printed from coded form,
simplified form, disguised form, etc. of information. Hence, for of
documents are different from the form of information.
5) Some information needs are to be kept secret. It is as true in the case of a
family as in the case of anation. Information on defence of a country is
usually kept secret. Only a few can have this information. When the secret
information is to be passed on to somebody it is passed either in coded
from or in disguised form. Even if this information accidentally goes to a
third hand, he will not be able to make out what it is, and thus the interest
of the country, organisation or a family will be protected.
6) Information technology has impacted information generation in a numbe
rof ways. Previously, a budding author had to struggle a lot to get his
writing published. Now, he can straightway place his writing in Internet
to attract the attention of others without wasting any time. The process
158 will generate information and to a certain prevent information loss.
The IT era has given birth to a number of publications in electronic form. Generation of Information:
Modes and Forms
these publications among others comprise books, periodicals, and
conference proceedings. Cybermetrics, an electronic-only journal as well
as a virtual forum is devoted to the study of the quantitative analysis of
sholarly and scientific communications in the Internet. The URL of this
electronic journal available at Internet is: http://www.cindoc.csic.er/
cybermetrics/cybermetrics.html. The number of electronic-only publicatin
is continuously increasing opening up a new vista for the generation of
information as well as acces to information.
IT has also helped in the generation of qucker as well as better information.
Before the advent of IT era, information search used to take ahuge amount
of time. Moreover, information that could be searched was not very up-
to-date. For example, a journal from US or European countries used to
take a month or more to reach India by sea mail. Hence, in a place like
India we used to get at least one-month old information, sometimes more.
Today, the time for locating and accessing information in many cases has
been reduced considerably. This has helped in increasing the productivity
of researchers and many other authors. Moreover, authors are now in a
position to provide more updated information in their publications.
6.9 KEYWORDS
Coded Form of Information : In this form, information is recorded
using some codes. For example in the
classification of books we provide
information in coded form.
Condensed Form of Information : Information in brief provided in the
form of summary, abstract, etc.
Consolidated Form of Information : When scattered information on a topic
is gleaned first and then put together
in a logical order. This gives rise to
consolidate from of information.
Digitised Form of Information : Presentation of information using the
digits 0 and 1 gives rise to this form
of information.
Disguised Form of Information : Information is communicated using
common language. The hidden
meaning becomes apparent only to the
person for whom the informationis
meant.
Handwritten Form of Information : Information written on a medium like
paper. Before the advent of paper,
people used to write on papyrus,
parchment, vellum, palm leaves,
bhurjapatras, and so on.
Oral Form of Information : Information communicated orally.
159
Information Generation and Pictorial Form of Information : Information communicated through
Communication
pictures instead of alphabets and
symbols. Examples: maps, atlases,
photographs, portraits, etc.
Printed Form of Information : Information printed on a medium like
paper.
Secondary Form of Information : Information generated from primary
information e.g. an abstract.
Simplified Form of Information : Information presented replacing the
jargons, difficult words and long
complex sentences with simple words
and sentences to make it
understandable to children and
layman.
Tertiary Form of Information : Information generated basing
secondary information, sometimes
primary information as well.
Translated Form of Information : Original information is presented in
a different language called the target
language retaining the original
meaning.
6.10 REFERENCES
Abrahams M. (2004) Weird Science Discoveries that will make you laugh,
then make you Think. Readers Digest (June). P129.
Britannica Book of the Year 1988: London: Encyclopaedia Brittanica. 136.
Cane P. Giants of Science. Pyramid ed. New York: Pyramid Books, 1961::276.
Odhams Colour Library of Knowledge: Language and Communication.1968.
P54
Odhams Colour Library of Knowledge: Language and Communication.
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Unit 6 Generation of Information: Modes and Forms: Structure

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Unit 6 Generation of Information: Modes and Forms: Structure

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UNIT 6 GENERATION OF INFORMATION:

MODES AND FORMS

6.5 Forms of Information

6.6 Impact of Information Technology on Information Generation

6.3 GENERATION OF INFORMATION

6.4 MODES OF INFORMATION GENERATION

6.4.2 Thought Process, Deliberation and Imagination

6.4.4 Processing of Data

Sr. No = Serial No; H.Q. – Highest qualification; M = Male; F= Female

Sr. Name Age Sex H.Q. Class in Nationality Religion

Information Relating to Sex

Information Relating to Class in Highest Qualification, Nationality, and

Dutch English French German Italian Spanish Swedish Welsh Hindi

6.4.8 Information Generation in some Selected Subjects

6.5 FORMS OF INFORMATION

6.5.1 Oral Form

6.5.2 Information in Sign Language

6.5.3 Hand-written Form

6.5.4 Pictorial Form

6.5.5 Printed Form

6.5.6 Digitised Form

6.5.7 Condensed Form

6.5.8 Coded Form

6.5.9 Simplified Form

6.5.12 Secondary Form

6.6 IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

6.8 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

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